Hemp Oil Toothpaste: Healthy Smile or Just Another Wellness Trend?

Hemp seems to be turning up everywhere these days, in foods, skincare products, supplements and even toothpaste. 

But does brushing your teeth with hemp oil actually offer any advantages, or is it simply another way of making an everyday product sound more exciting?

Hemp oil toothpaste generally contains hemp seed oil, produced from the seeds of Cannabis sativa. 

Despite the association with cannabis, hemp seed oil doesn't produce a “high” and shouldn't be confused with products containing significant quantities of THC.

So what are the claimed benefits?

Hemp seed oil naturally contains fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with other plant compounds. Manufacturers of hemp toothpastes sometimes suggest these ingredients can help soothe and moisturise the gums and contribute to a healthier oral environment.

Another frequently mentioned claim concerns inflammation. Hemp seed oil has attracted research interest for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, leading to suggestions that it could be beneficial for irritated or sensitive gums. 

However, evidence specifically demonstrating a meaningful dental benefit from hemp oil toothpaste remains limited.

Some hemp toothpastes also contain ingredients such as peppermint oil, activated charcoal, aloe vera or other botanical extracts. These may influence freshness, taste and how the toothpaste feels, but their presence doesn't necessarily make the toothpaste more effective at preventing tooth decay.

And that's where an important distinction needs to be made.

Don't Forget the Fluoride

For most people, one of the most important ingredients to look for in toothpaste remains fluoride. Fluoride has extensive evidence supporting its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce tooth decay.

Some hemp and “natural” toothpastes are fluoride-free. That doesn't automatically make them bad products, but consumers shouldn't assume that hemp oil provides an equivalent alternative to fluoride for cavity protection. It doesn't.

Similarly, claims that hemp toothpaste can “detox” the mouth, dramatically whiten teeth or cure gum disease deserve considerable caution unless they're backed by good clinical evidence.

There may nevertheless be reasons why somebody enjoys using hemp oil toothpaste. Its formulation may feel pleasant on the gums, and people who enjoy botanical oral-care products may prefer its taste and texture. Most importantly, a toothpaste you actually enjoy using may encourage regular brushing.

For That’s Health, our view is that hemp oil toothpaste is an interesting addition to the increasingly crowded natural oral-care market, and some of its ingredients certainly warrant further research. 

But at present, the evidence doesn't justify treating hemp oil as a wonder ingredient for teeth and gums.

If you're tempted to try one, check the complete ingredients rather than simply looking for the word “hemp” on the packaging. Ideally, choose an appropriate fluoride toothpaste, brush thoroughly twice a day, clean between your teeth and keep up regular dental check-ups.

Hemp oil might make toothpaste more interesting, but good old-fashioned dental hygiene is still doing most of the important work.

As for myself? I use Arm and Hammer toothpaste and a hemp oil toothpaste as I'm trying to get the best of both worlds!